When their Magic Dancer daughters ask, some dads are a definite ‘No’; some dads provide an unexpected ‘Yes’; and some dads pull a Carly Rae Jepsen-ish ‘Maybe.’ But those dads that take the nerve-wracking plunge into being one of the 3D Dancing Dancer Dads soon find they are part of a bigger Orlando Magic Dancers extended family with connections winding throughout the Amway Center. Started nine years ago this week, the Dancing Dads are the dads of current or former Orlando Magic Dancers, but they get their own big-time moments in the center court spotlight. And once some Dancing Dads get a taste of hardwood performances, they stick with it, for reasons like a chance to bond with their daughters, to become a team of pals with the other dads, and to go from sports fans to part of the NBA experience. And the Dancing Dads are like the Supreme Court Justices, they are appointed for life, even after their daughters’ terms with the Magic Dancers are over.

UltimateCheerleaders gained insight from two Dads whose daughters are still Magic Dancers. Gizelle’s Dad was a “definite maybe” when first asked about it, and Shaunte’s Dancing Dad was a surprising immediate affirmative. And also, we will hear from a Dancing Dad who remains on the team even though his daughter Lyndsay is no longer a Magic Dancer because she is getting married FRIDAY, and her fiancé’s on-court proposal from last season is two million YouTube hits popular. Family is a constant theme with the Orlando Magic Dancers and The Dancing Dads are an essential ingredient.

So let’s go back to nine years ago this week. Jeanine-Klem Thomas, the Orlando Magic Dancers Manager and Appearance Coordinator, has the Dancing Dads as one of her performance groups, and explains their genesis. “We started the Dancing Dads team in 2004,” Jeanine explains. “We had a game that fell around Valentine’s Day, and we decided to do a theme-y daddy’s little girl dance in honor of Valentine’s Day. We started out with a ‘Daddy’s Little Girl’ type of song, something really cute. I had them dance together, and then I had the dads push the daughters away, and take over to ‘Lean Back,’ I think. Conceptually, they pushed the daughters away, like, ’Hmm, we got this!’ Crowd went nuts! My boss at the time said, ‘Oh my gosh Jeanine, we have to start a team!’ And so, boom, that is how Dancing Dads started. They are hilarious!”

With the help of Jeanine and Cherie La Rosa, Assistant Manager to the Orlando Magic Dancers (the former Magic and Nets Dancer actually was an OMD when Dancing Dads started), now the Dancing Dads are an established entity, but back in 2004, the dads were a little hesitant. “I had to coax them onto the floor that first game,” Jeanine recalls. “Some of them have been here ever since. We have a few that have been here all nine years, and their daughters, maybe three, four, five, at the most; and their Dads are here nine. It’s so cute.”

One of those original Dancing Dads is Steve, whose daughter Kasey was an OMD back in 2004 at the start. His recollection of that initial performance, “The first time, it was a trick,” Steve says. “They said, ‘You are just going to go out there to dance with your daughters, and then they are going finish.’ No! When we came out here, they said, ‘Oh yeah, you are going to push your daughter off stage.’”

Veteran Dancing Dad Fred’s daughter was former Dancer Kristina, and when asked whether he was nervous his first time, responds, “The first time, oh yeah. I still get butterflies. It takes nerve to go out there and do it.”

But there is a thrilling aspect to hitting that big stage. Third-season Dancing Dad Mark explains the routines’ general flow, “Everything starts out kind of slow. Then, all of a sudden, BOOM. We did ‘Gangnam Style’ for the first one this year. I’ve always loved athletics. I thought when we broke into ‘Gangnam Style,’ the crowd was like, ‘ROAR!’ I just felt, WOW, I can see how these guys get charged up by a crowd. It was just neat.”

Plus Dancing Dads receive unique visibility, as Fred, wearing a blue Mohawk, recalls, “One year, they had us on the tickets. Twinkle Toes (an original member also named Steve), me, and one other Dancing Dad.”

But before we turn to the dads who became Dancing Dads, not every Magic Dancer’s dad is able or willing to try it. For instance Jamie is originally from Ohio, and was a Cavs Girl in Cleveland. So would Jamie like her dad to be a Dancing Dad? “If he lived down here, yes,” Jamie replies. “I always think about that to when I see the Dads, aww!” But would Jamie’s dad say yes to some finesse? “No, he wouldn’t,” Jamie laughs.

Laine is still hoping to convince her dad to join the fun. “I keep trying, it is like a work in progress,” Laine says. Does her dad have dance skills, like his OMD daughter? “Yes, but he has better singing skills,” Laine relates. “So he said if it was singing, it would be different.”

Shalize’s dad is former NBA standout Reggie Theus. Reggie was always known for unparalleled moves in the open court and sartorial super coolness off the court. But would Dancing Dads expose a weakness; the kryptonite to his cool reputation? Asked about Reggie being a Dancing Dad, Shalize responds, “He is just so busy, and on top of that, he has no rhythm.”

But Shalize’s mom has some ideas that she would like promoted within the Magic entertainment organization. “My mom, she is constantly saying, ‘Why doesn’t Jeanine come out with the Dancing Moms? Just ask her yourself!’” Shalize laughs. “’I say, ‘No, there are Dancing Dads for a reason, they think it is a little funnier.’ She said, ‘No, women will steal the show.’ She is so funny.”

And back at their holiday halftime performance, not all of the Dancing Dads could make it. One was five-year veteran Ashley’s dad Brian, who has been a Dancing Dad ever since Ashley was a rookie OMD.

“I never thought he would,” Ashley explains. “He is like a very sports family man. I have two brothers, and he always coaches soccer and baseball. He has been supportive of dance but never part of it.”

Did Ashley see her Dad dance a lot prior to becoming a Dancing Dad? “Never in my life!” Ashley exclaims. “He doesn’t dance at weddings, so it’s hilarious just to see him get up there. He loves it now, and the Dads have their little bond. They love it.”

Does Ashley ever get nervous FOR her Dancing Dad? “He is actually better now, but the first three years, he would be so lost and confused,” Ashley remembers. “I would be like ‘Dad, go, go, go!’ Like a three point turn, OH GOSH! The things we take for granted. He’s improved a lot, definitively proud of him. “

Ashley adds, “They really practice, and Sherri and Jeanine send them their videos and their music, and they are all rehearsing in the locker room. It’s funny.”

Rookie Elyse notes, “They seem like they try so hard as well. They ask, ‘Am I doing it right? Show me that one more time.’ It is really cute.”

Would Elyse like to see her pops become a Dancing Dad? “I DO!” Elyse answers. “And if I am on the team next year, I am going to try to get him to do it. My dad is a doctor, so he is on call a lot, and didn’t think he would be able to do it. But my teammate’s Dad (Emmy’s Dancing Dad Mike) is a doctor as well, so I said ‘Dad, maybe you can make it,’ So next year we will definitely have to get him out there.”

So let’s meet some of the Dancing Dads, who live in the middle, top, and bottom of the state. They come together to share in an exciting time in their daughters’ lives.

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Ahh, romance is in the air; Valentine’s Day, a time to show our loved ones how much we care. In this sometimes mixed-up, crazy world, we need a day devoted to the goodness of wonderful love.

And Indiana’s sports fans love the Pacemates, the dance team of the Indiana Pacers. So what a wonderful group of young women to share their views about this special day. The Pacemates provided UltimateCheerleaders with their thoughts regarding three topics:

1) What is your favorite romantic movie?

2) What Valentine’s Day advice can you give to guys without a lot of money?

3) Life may be like a box of chocolates, but some people say that the traditional box of chocolate needs a healthy replacement. So let’s ask the super healthy Pacemates what they would replace it with, if at all!

First, Elizabeth and Jessica were signing autographs in the lower concourse. Here is what they said about:

ROMANTIC FLICKS:
Jessica, “I would have to say The Notebook”
Elizabeth, “Yes, that is my favorite, too”

AFFORDABLE VALENTINE’S IDEAS:
Jessica, “The little things are what matter the most. It doesn’t have to be real extravagant. Really, anything that has thought behind it is good for me, whether it is a picture in a frame or just a sweet note.”
Elizabeth, “Good answer. I’m going to go with that.”

A BOX OF CHOCOLATE, OR NOT?: Well, certainly Elizabeth is so very agreeable, so let’s have her go first this time…
Elizabeth, “I don’t know if anything can replace chocolate. Chocolate covered strawberries are really good. That is a good healthy alternative.”
Jessica, “The edible bouquets, like fruit, is good.”

Jordan and Sarrah were helping out near the entry pavillion.

ROMANTIC FLICKS:
Jordan, “The one that always makes me cry is PS I Love You”
Sarrah, “Down with Love it is such a funny movie! It’s adorable!”

AFFORDABLE VALENTINE’S IDEAS:
Jordan, “A card always works.”
Sarrah, “Write a poem or a card. And do a lttle skit, they do it on the internet, they have little boards with (motioning showing a series of cards) “I”, “LOVE’ “YOU.” Those are really cute.”
Jordan, “Or a mix CD of love songs.”
Sarrah, “Or breakfast in bed is always awesome.”

A BOX OF CHOCOLATE, OR NOT?:
Jordan, “I love my chocolate. Nope!”
Sarrah, “If you want to replace it, maybe strawberries.”

Bethany and Erika were helping hand out programs in the entry pavillion, and ready to inform our Valentine’s Day queries,

ROMANTIC FLICKS:
Bethany, “PS I Love You”
Erika, “I don’t think I have one. I LOVE scary movies!”

AFFORDABLE VALENTINE’S IDEAS:
Erika, “Create something, like paint a picture frame. Do a little ‘favorite things’ basket, like her favorite candy, favorite soap, favorite lotion.”
Bethany, “It is the thought that counts. Once I filled up a bunch of balloons filled with little inside jokes, like a one-hundred different ones, and I filled the room with them. So he had to go through and pop them all and open them”
Erika, “A coupon book!”

A BOX OF CHOCOLATE, OR NOT?:
Bethany, “How bout chocolate covered strawberries?!”
Erika, “Yes, I agree with that.”

In the upper concourse, Walesska and Megan were also at an autograph table, and ready to help out!

ROMANTIC FLICKS:
Megan, “The Notebook”
Walesska, “The Vow”

AFFORDABLE VALENTINE’S IDEAS:
Megan, “Honestly, its not about the money.”
Walesska, “It’s not.”
Megan, “It’s the little things that matter. They have the online Valentine’s cards, you can send an email.”
Walesska, “Do something creative.”

A BOX OF CHOCOLATE, OR NOT?:
Walesska, “Fruits! Edible arrangements.”
Megan, “Yes! Edible arrangements.”

Thanks Pacemates so much for sharing some Valentine’s Day information! Some great hints, and if anyone doesn’t have a special someone today, don’t fret, that lil ol’ Cupid is out there, and he will catch up to you with the power of one of his arrows when you least expect it!

There are some more photos below and here is a link to a few more Pacemate photos from last night and from December.

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One Jewel is from just south of town and has been dancing for the squad’s coach for as long as she can remember. Another Jewel has lived in cities farther to the north, and has only started dance training in the last few years. However, Allie and Deonna share an unbridled enthusiasm for both dance and their Jacksonville Jewels Dance Team. Allie and Deonna shared with UltimateCheerleaders their routes to Jacksonville, and what draws them be part of the Jacksonville Giants ABA team, an organization known for their ABA championship and consistent winning ways since they were formed.

Second-year veteran Allie is a lifelong Floridian, with a long history with Pam Masters, Coach of the Jacksonville Jewels Dance Team. “I have actually been dancing with Miss Pam since I was five,” Allie, a Saint Augustine native, recalled. “I danced for an ABA team that was here about four years ago, the Jacksonville Jam, and then when I heard about the Giants’ first season, I was really excited and thought I would try out again. And then when I found out Miss Pam as the coach, it was just a perfect match.”

Pam, known as Miss Pam to her students, IS dance in Saint Augustine, and the northern coast of Florida in general. Pam is Owner/Director of Showtime USA, and as Allie explained prior to a Giants home game, “Actually Showtime is the halftime act tonight, and I danced with Showtime my whole life.” Regarding Miss Pam’s and Showtime’s importance in local dance, Allie stated, “It’s kind of the place to be. Miss Pam is the one, definitely.”

Allie explained the reason for Pam’s success as, “She knows what she wants, and she is really good at pushing us to get there. She is awesome. She is actually, to me, my second mom. I’ve grown up with her.”

Allie moved to Jacksonville from Saint Augustine to attend the University of North Florida. After receiving her degree in Public Relations, Allie has had a wide range of experience in PR, including working for the Giants last season as Public and Community Relations Coordinator. Allie has also worked in marketing for the Wounded Warrior Project, in addition to marketing, advertising, brand development, special event planning, and fund raising for varied groups.

On the other hand, Jewel Deonna is not only new to Florida; she is pretty new to studying dance too! Originally from Atlanta, Deonna just moved to Jacksonville in June. Deonna attended Savannah State University in Georgia as an undergraduate, receiving a degree in Computer Information Systems. Then, Deonna went to graduate school at North Carolina A&T State University, studying Industrial Technology. Deonna was working in Charlotte before her recent move to Jacksonville.

Deonna explained, “I work for Wells Fargo, I’m an Information Security Analyst.” Hmm, interesting Deonna. If someone, say myself, was trying to refinance a home mortgage, couldn’t you just go into the system and knock a couple percentages off my current rate? Please! “I don’t work on the mortgage side,” Deonna patiently detailed. “I just make sure that all your ATMs and everything stay up so you can get your money.” And that is wonderful Deonna, but refinancing is like a never ending scavenger hunt. Can’t you just log in, and, voila, presto chango? I beg of you! “I don’t want to lose my job,” laughed Deonna. Good answer Deonna; I guess. Sigh.

With her analytical side all developed, Deonna decided to add dance to her life’s program relatively recently. “I have been dancing for almost two years, so I am a late bloomer,” Deonna shared. “I just started really simply, taking classes, when I was in Charlotte. One day, I said, ‘You know what? I am just going to get up and I am going to go for it, that is something that I have wanted to do for a while,’ and I just got up and did it.”

And her interest in all aspects of the pro dance experience is what drew Deonna to the Giants and Jewels. “Even before I even moved here, I was looking at dance teams that I wanted to try out for,” Deonna said, “and what drew me to the Jewels is the fact that I see the Jewels, and the Giants organization as a whole, as very family friendly. They do a lot of work in the community and I really, really love that, because dancing is really wonderful, but I like things on the humanitarian level. So that is one of the things that drew me to the team.”

Certainly the players for the Giants have big league dreams, and so must the Jewels, one might assume. Nope, both Allie and Deonna like it just fine being part of the Jewels, and are not looking to move on.

That is another common trait Allie and Deonna share, even though Jewel Allie is a Floridian who has been polishing her dance skills with Miss Pam since she was young, whereas Jewel Deonna is from out of state and, until a couple of years ago, was a ‘diamond in the rough’ in her dance skills. Now, both are part of treasure trove of sparkling Jewels on the sidelines. And if the past is any indication, with the Giants on-court future as secure as the systems Deonna serves as an analyst, Allie may have to plan for the special event when the Giants bring home another ABA championship. No matter what, the Jewels certainly must be contenders for ABA’s most elite dance team.

And now, if only my mortgage miraculously refinanced itself, we’d all be winners….

Many many many thanks to Pam Masters and the Jewels for all their assistance, and especially to Allie and Deonna for taking some of their valuable time to share their thoughts with UltimateCheerleaders! Deonna had just been at the site right before I had spoken to her, and I thank her for her support and feedback!

More photos of Allie and Deonna are at this link

I am not sure what their formula is, but whatever the ABA’s Jacksonville Giants are doing, they have found a powerful potion that Ponce De Leon would travel miles to pursue. In less than three years as an organization, not only are they defending ABA champs, the Giants remain undefeated this season. You see, they only average a meer 139 points per game, while holding their opponents scoring on average to 103. The Giants are not only undefeated this season and defending champs, Jax has not lost a regular season game in their history. Besides their winning success on the court, the Giants are doing it major-league style, playing in Jacksonville’s premier indoor arena and also with local TV and radio game coverage.

So it is consistent that Pam Master’s entertainment squads also are truly major league in their performance, including the the Jewels dance team. The priceless Jewels not only dance on the sidelines, they have a dunking squad that is miraculous, and even have their own calendar. And, maybe it is just me, but the Jewels look like they were cast from Hollywood Studios down the road. I see 70’s era look-a-likes for icons Marcia Brady and Pam Grier, a Carrie Underwood stand-in, plus others. If they ever need to cast another Charlie’s Angels movie, I think the Jewels would be a good place to start.

Much more information about the Jewels is at this link. Click on “Continue” below for more squad photos, and there are more within the gallery at this link.

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Whew (as I breathlessly type away), it’s the end of January, can I squeeze in one more holiday season story? The Orlando Magic Dancers and all of the entertainment teams did their super spectacular halftime presentation right before Christmas during the game against the Jazz. I was all ready to post pics of all of the holiday festivities, then the flu hit me, my family, my co-workers, and eventually the rest of the state. But, even though it is almost February, I have to share the glittery goodness of the fun, so let me reach through the screen and sprinkle some holiday Magical dust upon the top of your noggin, and you can relive the late December halftime, featuring….

The Magic Minis from partner studio Starz Dance Galaxy,

The Dancing Dads (dads of current or former Magic Dancers),

The Silver Stars, always show stoppers, with a familiar red coated man now on extended vacation,

The Southwest Flight Crew and mascot Stuff,

And of course, the Orlando Magic Dancers,

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Ashley Wagner, the Director/Choreographer of the Boston Cannons Dance Team lets us know that it is the time of year for the Major League Lacrosse team to hold their auditions! Info is below, including links to the necessary forms:

2013 Boston Cannons Dance Team Waiver Form

2013 Boston Cannons Dance Team Application

Megan, the Captain of The Ohio Dance Machine, professional cheer/dance team for Major League Lacrosse’s The Ohio Machine, writes that they are very excited to start their second season in the MLL, with upcoming auditions on January 11th-12th.

Auditions are at the Metro Fitness in Hilliard (3440 Heritage Club Dr, Hilliard, Ohio 43026-3326). Registration is at 5:30pm on Friday January 11st, 2013 followed by clinics. Registration is $25.

FINALS will be held Saturday January 12th, 2013 starting at 11:30am.

Do you have what it takes to go PRO?

Questions? Send us a message on facebook or email us at Theohiodancemachine@gmail.com

There is more information at their Facebook page and web links here and here.

So if you had an NFL cheerleader as your fourth grade student teacher, it would be way cool; and it also would give the kids the chance to make some interesting observations. Colts Cheerleader Kristine is student teaching a fourth grade class, and, as she describes, “I take a lot of pride in being able to throw a football, so naturally, at recess I love playing catch with the kids on the playground. One time I threw a ball and I overheard a boy say to one of his friends, ‘Wow did you see that throw?’ to which the other kid responded, ‘Well, yeah! She watches Andrew Luck play football EVERYDAY!’”

No doubt! And after four seasons observing from the Colts sidelines, I bet Kristine certainly can haul in a pass like Reggie Wayne, outmaneuver blockers like Dwight Freeney, and place kick on target like Adam Vinatieri. Kristine returned to graduate school after working in advertising because she decided teaching was her calling. Kristine shared with UltimateCheerleaders the decisions that lead up to her taking on this noble cause, and also her pre-Colts background as an AFL all-star cheerleader who represented her team at the Arena Bowl, and why if she continues making the same New Year’s resolution, she will eventually transform into some infinitely hilarious, mighty comedic-a-saurus.

Until Kristine became a Colts Cheerleader, she was a lifelong Michigan-der. “I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and raised in Greenville, Michigan until I moved away to college,” Kristine recalls. “I have one brother, who is three years older than me and owns a personal training company in Grand Rapids. My family and I have always loved sports and I grew up playing catch with my dad and brother in the yard or a game of one-on-one basketball in the driveway. Of course, my mom always had out our video camera and I never missed a moment to perform a new dance or skit that my brother and I had created.”

And the dance part of Kristine’s life started young, but when she saw a dance team associated with sports, Kristine’s future dance path was solidified. “I was four years old when I began taking tap, jazz, and ballet classes at a local dance studio in Greenville,” Kristine recalls. “I will never forget when I saw the Greenville High School Dance Team perform for the first time. Their uniforms were so flashy and their moves were fast and precise; I knew from the moment I saw them that I wanted to be on the dance team. There is something about dancing in front of a crowd at a sporting event that makes the performance unlike any other, and I went on to dance on the GHS Varsity Dance Team for four years.”

After high school, Kristine continued to combine her enthusiasm for participating in both sports and dance (and, hey, playground kid, I think she could throw a ball way before she ever watched Andrew Luck). “After I graduated from high school, I attended Grand Rapids Community College, where I was a pitcher and first baseman on their softball team,” says Kristine. “In my second season at GRCC, I began dancing for the Arena Football League with the Grand Rapids Rampage’s Rage Dance Team. After my second year at GRCC, I transferred to Grand Valley State University and continued dancing for the Rampage. In 2008 I was honored to be selected by AFL fans to represent the Rampage on ‘Aaron’s Dream Team’ at the Arena Bowl in New Orleans. As I finished up my Bachelor’s Degree at GVSU, I decided that it was time to work toward another goal and soon found myself in Indianapolis auditioning to cheer for the Colts as a ‘Sweetheart of the Horseshoe’! “

With her degree in advertising completed and experience dancing in the AFL, Kristine was ready to make a move to the NFL. “I tried out for the Colts because, first and foremost, I love the Colts!” Kristine explains. “Indianapolis is convenient in proximity because it is not too far away from home, so I am able to drive to visit my family and friends anytime I would like. Also, my parents have been able to experience a lot of my dance career because Indy is not too far away and they have been Colts season ticket holders for the past four years. Really though, who wouldn’t want to cheer for the Indianapolis Colts?!,” Kristine smiles.

But even though Michigan somewhat in the proximity if Indianapolis, it still requires a lot of travel and effort to try-out for a team hundreds of miles from home. “As I mentioned before, I was living in Michigan when I decided to try-out for the Colts, so my mom and I drove down to Indy for the first weekend of auditions,” Kristine remembers. “As I continued to make it further through the try-out process, I would drive down to Indy from Grand Rapids and stay in a hotel every Tuesday through Thursday for three weeks. It became a little bit lonely driving down from Michigan and staying by myself, but I knew it would be worth it! When my name was called at the final audition, I ran up on stage with my new teammates and, with a permanent grin on my face; I just kept repeating in my mind, ‘I’m an Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader. I’m an Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader!’ After I made the team, I drove back to Michigan, packed up my things and I have been living as a Hoosier ever since!”

In her fourth season with the Colts Cheerleaders, Kristine expresses its importance in her life as, “I absolutely love being a Colts Cheerleader, and each year my passion to perform and my love for the Colts are what keep me coming back. I have had an amazing four years here in Indy and I would not trade them for anything.”

Though Kristine can dance and cheer on the sidelines for home games, I was curious about how she acts when watching a road Colts game on TV. For instance, what did Kristine do in the recent game when the game ended with Andrew Luck throwing a pass to win the game in Detroit on the last play? “Even though I would rather be on the sidelines for all of the Colts games, watching the away games on TV can be fun too!, “ Kristine explains. “Being from Michigan, I know quite a few Lions fans, so you can only imagine how happy I was in those last few seconds of the Lions versus Colts game. I was with some of my teammates watching the game and, as soon as we scored that last touchdown, we all threw our arms in the air and started cheering!”

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Many UltimateCheerleaders posts over the years about the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders focused on their super tough fitness boot camp. Well, when you see a game at Mall of America Field, you see the product of these workouts. The Vikings Cheerleaders are a perpetual motion machine on the sidelines. When it is time to get the crowd going, say on a defensive third down, the Cheerleaders burst into action, running up and down the sidelines, including while waving big purple Vikings flags, and hoisting signs that either say “DE”-“FENSE” or “GO”-“ VIKES.” And if the Vikings score, the MVC runs to the end zone to perform in celebration. Yes, being a Minnesota Vikings Cheerleader is not for the lethargic. Maybe Adrian Peterson would win a running race against the MVC, but anytime he looked back, no matter how far he ran, the Vikings Cheerleaders would be keeping up.

And since last October’s Vikings-Arizona game was my first in the MetroDome, I was able to see the Viking theme played out in ways you do not gather watching on TV games. For instance, the sound of the Vikings Gjallarhorn is prominantly played during pre-game, after the team has made a big play, gets a first down, or scores a touchdown. The team’s fight song, “Skol, Vikings” is played whenever the team scores a touchdown, field goal, or safety, enters half-time, and to celebrate a game victory, so it is often danced to by the Vikings Cheerleaders. Throw in the Skol Drum Line, mascots Ragnar and Viktor the Viking, and there is a lot of Norse fun happening on the sidelines.

Of course, the Vikings Cheerleaders also help out during game breaks, like fan contests and even throwing footballs to the fans.

During my visit to see the Vikings Cheerleaders, I remained in the area of the field where Vikings Cheerleader staff member Kimberly Dorn was coordinating the MVC’s activities. Kimberly was a Vikings Cheerleader from 1998 to 2003, including three seasons as team captain and the honored Pro Bowl MVC in 2002. Kimberly has been on the MVC staff since 2004, and I really appreciate all of her help telling me the where the Vikings Cheerleaders would be doing their feature performances, and for telling the Vikings Cheerleaders that UltimateCheerleaders was there to see them in action. Normally, Kimberly would have been out during pre-game with the MVC Alumni, but, back in October she was awaiting the birth of her third child, with two boy kiddos already at home. Thanks again Kimberly for all of your help!

We also thank Tami Krause, MVC Head Coach & Coordinator, Theresa Baugus, Co-Coach and Appearance Coordinator, and Brianna Stepanek, Co-Coach and Coordinator, for all of their help!

If you cannot make it out to the MetroDome today for the big Vikings-Packers game (and we don’t play favorites, but doesn’t one of those team need some pro cheer on the sidelines?), click on the “Continue” link below to see a game in the life of the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, and there are more photos from the Vikings-Arizona game at this link…

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Between Christmas and New Year’s we are showcasing the year’s favorite photos from our contributors.

When we were asked to provide a favorite photo from 2012, my general instinct is to ask for scoring criteria with a tie-breaking algorithm to quantify it. Kind of like BCS standings for my photos. But I resisted the temptation and went with my most memorable photo by far this year. Some of the indoor football Bloomington Edge Dance Team posing with the halftime entertainment: monkeys riding dogs that rounded up sheep. Pro cheer, no matter what level of sport, is about the fan entertainment experience, and this was one memorable thing to behold. So here is Edge Dance Team coach Stacy Terry, Lauren, Alice, and Jess posing with the entertainment prior to halftime.

Thanks to all the cheer directors, cheerleaders, dancers, and media people who went out of their way to help me out in 2012!